City of Guilds

The stone tower looked like a sore thumb among Ponyville's hay roofed houses. It had been there for several moons. Inside it was pleasantly furnished and felt like an actual home. A perfect place to stay. Most of the time it had no residents, only one pony was allowed in while its owner was away, and that pony made sure everything was in order. Its owner made sure all the bills would be paid while he was away, and in fact had everything planned for his long trips.

Today however it was different. Its owner was there, but he was not alone, the pony he trusted the most was with him. They were preparing everything for a trip together. There were some suitcases and other forms of luggage. Most of it was from the homeowner, he was making inventory of his belongings before their departure.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” The stallion spoke, his green eyes looking at his companion, wondering what she was thinking. His blue, almost teal, mane was arranged in a half high ponytail, his deep purple hide was covered by a black cape which concealed his cutie mark, a sword with a red trail which changed under certain circumstances.

“Come on Midnight. We already talked about this. I AM going! This is the second time we go on an adventure beyond Equestria. And it's the first time we go somewhere only you know about.” The stallion's companion responded. She was not just his companion, she was actually his lover, some could say they were engaged considering some past events. Despite their age difference, their love faced little opposition from the general public. Her dark pink mane was shaped in a way that positioned a long bang in front of one of her eyes, which often led her to blow air on it to keep her sight unobstructed. Her hide had a light brown hue which looked almost orange, and her cutie mark was a pair of scissors combined with an apple, reminder of her legacy as member of the Apple family.

“Well. We are taking your sister with us. She kind of forced me.”

“I know. She'll be here soon.”

“I am glad she hates me no more. It will make things easier.” The stallion remembered how long it took for him to be fully accepted into the family. Now he was trusted with taking both sisters on a trip with him. “Remember Babs, this is not your average vacation trip. The place we are going is slightly more dangerous than Manehattan, so you better not deviate from the map I gave you. And stay away from any place marked with the symbols on the list I gave you, especially the spider eye one, those guys are messed up.”

“I thought you said the red and black skull guys were the bucked up ones.”

“They are certainly insane, but not even as evil as the spider guys. But stay clear from them, they will try to get you into their crazy stuff. And it includes things you don't like.”

“And I thought you were kinda pervy.”

“Oh! They are not perverted. They are downright disgusting. Their definition of love making requires at least a few legs lost in the process, not always reattached in the end. But whatever rows their boat. At least they are no longer inviting unwilling guests to their parties.”

“What is that thing?” The filly looked at an artifact the stallion took from an old satchel.

“This? A piece of advanced Anathelan technology. A telepathic communication device. Allows verbal communication between different languages. Ideal when you have no idea where you are going. I was just making sure it is working properly. It is always on. Sometimes I wonder if I ever spoke to you in our native language.”

“Does it translate sleep talk?”

“No, only conscious communication.”

“Then I'm pretty much sure we speak the same language. You say some weird stuff in your sleep.”

“Is that so? Riv often says watching me slip is both funny and disturbing. I guess it has something to do with that. What kind of things do I say?” The stallion asked, wondering why everyone was amused about his sleeping habits.

“Well. You say some crazy stuff. Sometimes you give motivational speeches to dream armies before battle, sometimes you are pursued by angry pumpkins. And well... You dream about some things I already told you are never going to happen. There are also other weird dreams, and other lewd ones too. I'm glad nopony else heard those things.” Babs Seed blushed looking at Midnight Edge with bedroom eyes. “I unleashed something in your mind.”

“Wait! You mean I have been dreaming about performing the most impure acts with you, as well as many other forms of hedonistic behavior, while broadcasting it to anything nearby? And nobody told me! I will tan Riv's hide the next time I see him!” The stallion was less than amused with his discovery.

Babs Seed giggled at Midnight Edge's reaction. Understanding his exaggerated mannerisms were a form of being humorous at the unpleasant realization of how easy it was to pry on his privacy. Soon after that a pony knocked at the door.

“It's open. Come in.” Midnight Edge spoke, concentrating on two strange artifacts, they were golden objects with a shape that vaguely resembled a key. On the wider part they held a gem surrounded by complex filigree which was actually a form of magical circuitry.

A mare opened the door, her pink hide made a fitting combination with her blonde mane, she wore a sunflower hair clip on her mane, which matched her sunflower cutie mark. She looked at the large amount of luggage and spoke. “You better take us to somewhere safe. If we get hurt I'll make sure all of Equestria will make you pay.”

“There should be no worry about that. I prepared all safety measures. Here! Take these.” Midnight Edge levitated the strange key shaped objects in front of the ponies with his magic.

“What are these things exactly?” Sunflower responded wondering what could such strange objects do to keep them safe.

“The best in Anathelan void technology. The masterpiece of the portal makers. The source of the great Anathelan portal revolution. A perfect combination of magic and science. The creation of two civilizations working together. Rift keys!” Midnight Edge responded as if he felt proud of those artifacts even though they were created by another species in a distant universe.

“I remember these things. Riv had one. Right?” The filly noticed similarities with the object she once saw held by the traveling alien.

“Exactly! These were blank just a few hours ago. But now they are fully functional. Here! Take these instruction manuals with them. You will know how to use them in no time, but I will explain the basics. These things record locations in the multiverse, allowing you to create a portal connecting your current location and the one selected on the key, well, as long as both are far enough. Like different planets, or entirely different planes. But, you must register them first. If there is any sign of danger you must use those keys to open a portal back to Equestria. It will take you near Twilight's castle.”

“So that city we are going is dangerous?” Sunflower asked, concerned about their safety.

“Normally it is not. And thanks to its current leader it has not been safer in decades, probably centuries. But that doesn't mean there is no danger. All cities have dark alleys, raving lunatics, and evil organizations.”

“Am I the only one having second thoughts about this?”

“Come on sis! It's gonna be just fine! Midnight wouldn't take me to a dangerous place.” The filly spoke, trusting her life to her beloved stallion.

“Well. I am actually having second thoughts about this too. But Babs persuaded me into this and it is too late to change my mind. I already made a promise.” Midnight Edge stated, no longer sure that place would be good for a family vacation trip.

“That city has families right? The it must be safe! Nopony... Well, nobody would keep a family in a dangerous place.”

“Babs. Your coltfriend might get us killed someday, you know?” Sunflower still felt going to an unfamiliar place only a borderline insane stallion knew was a terrible idea.

“I would never allow that. She is right. It is a rather family friendly place, provided you do not venture away from the areas I already marked as safe.” Midnight Edge took a deep breath and placed all his luggage, as well as that of the sisters inside the magical brooch on his cape. “All right, hold on to me. This is going to be a rather unpleasant ride.” The two ponies held hooves with Midnight Edge as he gathered magic around him. “You might need a paper bag soon.”

“Wait Wha-” Before Sunflower could complete her sentence, the three ponies disappeared in a flash of mana, planeswalking into another world.